Dairy Body Underlines Government Role in Helping Sector
UK - The Government has been told of its key role in helping the dairy industry meet the "formidable" market challenges it faces.
26 November 2014
1 minute read
At an Efra Select Committee, ministers heard that dairy is going through "challenging times" which would worsen before getting better.
Dr Judith Bryans, Chief Executive of Dairy UK, said to the committee: “These conditions are affecting farmers and processors alike and there is no element of the dairy supply chain that is insulated.
"Price volatility is the result of an oversupplied global dairy market and poses a severe challenge with tight margins and reduced profits.”
In its evidence to the committee, Dairy UK said that long-term prospects for the industry remain positive and there are steps that can be taken to help in the short and medium term.
Dairy UK said EU level intervention may be necessary in 2015.
Other long term-measures that the Government can help with include minimizing the burden of regulation e.g. sympathetic planning laws; competitive energy costs; supporting the promotion of dairy products; and supporting the actions of the industry with regard to exports.
Dr Bryans added: “The dairy industry needs all the support it can get from the Government to protect existing export markets and develop new ones. We would welcome measures aiming at easing the burden of red tape around exports, such as creating a one-stop shop for export health certification.”
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